Progress in talks on united Syria opposition

In this image made from video, Syrian President Bashar Assad speaks with English-language television channel Russia Today recorded at an unknown date in Damascus, Syria. Assad vowed to "to live in Syria and die in Syria", declaring in an interview broadcast Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 that he will never flee his country despite the bloody, 19-month-old uprising against him. (AP Photo) RUSSIA OUT TV OUT

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Syrian opposition leaders say they have made progress toward forging a broad-based leadership group sought by the international community.

Riad Seif, the author of the proposal, says the main opposition bloc, the Syrian National Council, deferred a decision until after a final round of internal elections Friday. Seif says some of the SNC members present during day-long talks Thursday signaled they accept the idea of setting up a new 60-member leadership group.

The leadership group is to serve as a conduit for foreign support for those trying to oust President Bashar Assad.

The SNC is hesitant because it would receive only 22 seats to make room for activists inside Syria. Seif says the SNC will make a final decision Friday afternoon, after picking a new chief and executive committee.